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UK retail sales accelerated ahead of expectations in July following continued good weather, but fell short of consensus on an annual basis, the Office for National Statistics reported on Friday. Total retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.6% in July, accelerating from an increase of 0.3% in June and comfortably beating an FXStreet-cited consensus for 0.2% growth in July. Sales volumes improved 1.1% over the year to July, accelerated from 0.9% growth in the year to June, but falling short of an FXStreet-cited consensus for 1.3% growth. Sales volumes fell 0.6% in the three months to July against the three months to April. This followed four months of consecutive quarterly growth, largely due to declines in food stores, sports equipment, games and toys stores, and household goods stores. These were partly offset, however, by an increase in non-store retailing, which are predominantly online retailers, the ONS explained. Food store sales rose 2.5% in July to their highest level since February 2022, boosted by good weather and events such as the Union of European Football Associations Women’s Euro 2025 tournament. Food store sales had increased 0.7% in June. The ONS noted that the UK had its fifth warmest July on record this year, according to the Met Office climate summaries. Non-food store sales volumes grew 0.6% during July, speeding up from 0.2% growth in June, in the largest annual rise since January 2023. The ONS said the rise was partly driven by the launch of new products. The July numbers had been delayed two weeks from their initial planned release date at the end of August, so the ONS could carry out further ‘quality assurance’ work on the data. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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